Welcome to Addis Ababa.
Addis Ababa “New Flower” is the third highest capital in the world. It is located at 3,000m above sea level which offers bracing temperatures and plenty of fresh highland air. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, “Mercato”.

Addis Ababa is Africa‟s diplomatic capital with headquarters for the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations Economic Commissions for Africa.

On your arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, after clearing immigration and customs welcome by Absolute Ethiopia Tours staff and get transferred to your hotel.

In the early morning, transfer to Addis Ababa (Bole) int. airport for your flight to Bahir Dar (1hr flight).
Bahir Dar is the capital of the Amhara region situated on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country. Bahir Dar is one of the best well-planned cities in Ethiopia. Bahir Dar means “by the
side of the sea”.

After check-in to your hotel go for the alluring Blue Nile Falls, “Tissisat” (smoking water), a
spectacular view of Bezawit hilltop, & the open-air market of Bahir Dar to meet up with locals.

In the early morning leave your hotel and head to the magnificent Simien Mts. National Park via Gondar. Road/ Surface transfer 295kms/5hrs.
The Simien Mts. dramatic topography resulted from volcanic activity, Ascribed as a world natural heritage site, graced by exceptional botanical phenomena and a zoo of wild life Walia Ibex, Red fox, and Chilada/ bleeding heart Baboons are few to the site.

Gondar “the Camelot of Africa,” is the medieval royal city, distinguished by its castles and imperial compound and by its churches, particularly Debre Berhan Selassie, the walls and ceiling of which are completely covered in murals - the angels‟ faces on the ceiling have become a common motif
in Ethiopian design.
On your way to Gondar visit Project Ploughshare Women‟s Crafts Training Centre - Located 5km from Gondar, this center is focused on helping disadvantaged women rekindle local pottery traditions, along with Amhara weaving and basketry. Founded in 1993, the aim of the project is to
help single mothers who have lost their husbands as a result of HIV/Aids, war, natural disasters, or divorce. With an average of 4 to 5 children to support, the proceeds of the products which are sold to the local community and tourists are a vital source of income.

After breakfast you will drive to the small town of Lalibela, which is home to one of the world's most astounding sacred sites, comprising eleven medieval rock-hewn churches, each carved entirely out of a single piece of stone.

Lalibela, the „New Jerusalem‟, was built by King Lalibela „with the help of angels‟ in the 12th century, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its eleven rock-hewn churches. Perched among wild craggy mountains and vast rocky escarpments, there is a stark cathedral-like grandeur to
Lalibela. The houses of Lalibela are of a design unlike anywhere else in Ethiopia, two-story circular stone constructs that huddle in an amorphous mass over the steep slopes on which the town is
built.

Today visit the cave church of Yimrehane Kirstos, 40 km from the city, built by the king of the same name before the reign of King Lalibela. The church is constructed inside a cave, in Axumite style, similar to the church at Debre Damo, with alternating levels of wood and stone. If the day meets, attend the yearly celebration of King & Saint Yimrehane Kirstos which is attended by tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over Ethiopia, making it one of the most joyous annual pilgrimages in Lalibela. It is celebrated with greater devotion, the congregation wrapped in white shawls singing with joy along with the priests‟ one after the other and among the swaying choir the priests chanting, dancing, and singing around the church letting out a deep boom of the drums and female‟s voice respond in a piercing chorus of ululations. Then return back to the town.

Today, transfer to Lalibela Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or go shopping or more sightseeing in Addis.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Many thanks & have a safe flight.